Fixing claims 'shocking': Shane Watson

Claims that Australian players were some of the biggest match-fixers in cricket were shocking, damaging and threatened the integrity of the game, all-rounder Shane Watson said on Tuesday.

Written by Associated Press

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Cape Town:

Claims that Australian players were some of the biggest match-fixers in cricket were shocking, damaging and threatened the integrity of the game, all-rounder Shane Watson said on Tuesday.

The Australia opener said the unproven allegations, made by the player agent at the center of the Pakistan spot-fixing case, were "unbelievably disappointing."

Agent Mazhar Majeed's claims that Australians were involved in fixing parts of matches for betting scams were made in recordings played to a London court on Monday during the trial of former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir. They are accused of conspiring with Majeed to bowl deliberate no-balls in a test against England at Lord's last August.

But Majeed did not name any Australian players and did not back up his assertions with any evidence.

"Very disappointing and pretty shocking really to see these allegations that have come out from this court case that is going on at the moment," Watson said from South Africa, where he is on tour with Australia's team. "I know from my perspective how damaging they really are to the game of cricket, but also to the individuals.

"It's just very disappointing these things happen because it challenges the integrity of the game we all love so much."